Zhu Xiong Ying understood perfectly well that not only could the orthodox position of Confucianism not be shaken in this era, but even hundreds of years from now, Confucianism would still influence this land. And Confucianism wasn't necessarily all dross.
As rulers, emphasizing loyalty and filial piety is naturally not a problem; it aligns with their interests.
However, Zhu Xiong Ying was also well aware that it was still not too late to try some changes. After all, the Ming Dynasty had only been established for twenty-two years, and many things could be adjusted in time without too much resistance.
Zhu Xiong Ying didn't think it was necessary to directly overthrow Confucianism or abolish its orthodox status. He knew that was unrealistic; even the emperor, high above all others, couldn't truly alienate the scholars of the land.
“Grandfather, I don’t think Zhu Xi was a good person,” Zhu Xiong Ying said. “Ye Shaoweng’s ‘Records of Things Heard and Seen in Four Reigns’ supplements the deficiencies of the official history and records many of Zhu Xi’s misdeeds. ‘Records of Strange Things’ also has some records. However, I think that history books are sometimes best read with a grain of salt, as they inevitably contain some fabrications and embellishments. Zhu Xi’s character may have been the victim of factional strife and slander.”
Old Zhu looked at Zhu Xiong Ying with a smile, then said to Zhu Biao, "Biao'er, our Ying'er is better than you in this respect. Yunwen has gone mad from studying Confucianism, but you now act with a lot of Confucian style."
“Grandfather, I don’t really care whether it’s Confucianism, Legalism or Taoism, as long as it’s beneficial to our royal family,” Zhu Xiong Ying said. “But nowadays, Confucianism is too powerful. All the scholars in the world consider themselves Confucian scholars, which is not a good thing.”
Old Zhu was silent for a moment, then said, "Since the Han and Tang dynasties, Confucianism has been the dominant ideology. It has been hundreds or thousands of years. How easy is it to change it overnight?"
This is also true. Confucianism has deeply influenced the people of this land, and changing it is no easy task; it is not something that can be accomplished overnight.
Even if one often looks down on some Confucian scholars, one still has to curry favor with all the scholars in the world.
“Grandfather, the Confucian school is being placed in such a high position, which is not a good thing,” Zhu Xiong Ying said, speaking from the heart. “Confucianism should still be passed down. However, it should not be a one-sided view, nor should it be limited to Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi. The civil and military officials in the court should not all be Confucian scholars.”
Old Zhu looked at Zhu Xiong Ying and teased, "What mischief are you up to now?"
Zhu Xiong Ying was displeased. How could it be a bad idea? It was an absolutely brilliant idea; Zhu Xiong Ying had long had this thought. It was just that she was too young before and didn't have any resources to try it out.
But now, we can slowly try to exert some force and pry open the foundation!
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